Looking for ways to reduce plastic pollution

ÔWorldwide, plastic pollution is a severe environmental issue. The participation of all people will be necessary to solve this situation. Every nation, at every level of growth, needs a tremendous deal of practical creativity and adaptability.

Plastic pollution – for no one in particular

Plastic is currently a major environmental issue on a worldwide scale.13 million tons of plastic garbage pour into the ocean each year from a variety of human-generated sources, enough to cover four times the surface area of the planet. 

Every day, every hour, plastic negatively impacts the ecosystem, living environment, human health and sustainable development of each country. 

The ecology of Vietnam — the soil, water, air, and ocean—is being threatened by the growing usage of plastic bags. The detrimental effects of plastic trash will have severe and unanticipated repercussions if prompt remedies are not found.

In an effort to encourage people to stop using single-use plastic goods and lessen pollution, the UN introduced the subject "Addressing plastic and nylon pollution" in 2018. Pollution of the environment and protecting human health.

Heads of state and multinational company leadership reaffirmed their commitment to tackling plastic waste in the scope of the 2019 World Economic Forum. To increase the recycling and reuse of plastic trash and decrease the use of some ecologically harmful plastic items, several governments have implemented targeted measures. 

In 2022, Resolution UNEP/EA.5/Res.14, the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Council, proposed that member countries conduct negotiations to develop a legally binding document to resolve the issue. Plastic pollution crisis.

Illustration Image

Joining the efforts of the international community, Vietnam actively proposes initiatives and participates in global and regional cooperation mechanisms to address plastic waste. 
In 2017, Vietnam officially joined the list of 127 countries that passed the United Nations Environment Council Resolution on the treatment of plastic waste and marine waste. 

In 2018, at the G7 Summit in Canada, the Prime Minister of Vietnam committed to action and called for global cooperation in solving the problem of plastic at sea. Currently, Vietnam is actively participating in the negotiation of the Global Agreement on plastic pollution.

Plastic Circulation – A Pillar of Green Solutions

One of the "Green Solution" pillars for the Circular Economy is effective waste recycling. Recently, Vietnam has proposed many policies, strategies, and legal regulations to strengthen the management, reduction, classification, collection, recycling, and reuse of plastic waste. These include Directive No. 33/CT-TTg on strengthening the management, reuse, recycling, treatment and minimisation of plastic waste; Decision No. 1746/QD-TTg on promulgating the National Action Plan on ocean plastic waste management until 2030. Especially the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 has stipulated the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Accordingly, manufacturers and importers must be responsible for collecting and treating waste and recycling packaging and products.

Simultaneously, authorities, organisations, enterprises, and communities have undertaken a plethora of constructive, stimulating, and valuable initiatives to battle and minimise waste nationwide. 

Still has to be addressed, though, is the way plastic garbage is collected, recycled, and treated. Very soft, low-value plastic packaging is now mostly buried, burnt, or released into the environment. Only a tiny percentage of valuable plastic packaging is gathered and recycled. In recycling craft communities, some plastic packaging is recycled improperly, polluting the environment.

Looking for practical solutions.

According to the facts above, the British Embassy, Standard Bank, Unilever Vietnam, BritCham, the Vietnam Science and Technology Startup Fund (SVF), and the British Business Association have all worked together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE). The initiative "Plastic Circular Innovation Solutions 2024" was introduced by Chartered.

Finding, honouring, funding, and supporting original and creative ideas and methods for sorting, gathering, and recycling waste plastic packaging is a practical and valuable endeavour. Particularly plastic blankets—which aren't very expensive in Vietnam. Supporting and encouraging the application of EPR regulations is the program implementation initiative.

Whether or not they are registered to start a business, contest competitors are Vietnamese nationals or expatriates with projects, ideas, and solutions focused on resolving the waste issue. The Vietnamese market can benefit from the application of plastic and laminated waste. Legally recognised organisations in Vietnam are creating prototypes or have technological know-how to help optimise and address issues with gathering, sorting, and recycling waste plastic packaging - particularly laminated waste.

The competition takes place in 5 months, from April 2024 to August 2024, with screening, selection, training and final rounds.

The "2024 Plastic Circular Innovation Solution" competition is expected to find many new initiatives and innovative solutions to enhance the plastic circular value chain, focusing on solutions for collecting, classifying and recycling waste. Waste of plastic packaging, incredibly soft plastic packaging in Vietnam. At the same time, it encourages the spread of and investment in new initiatives and solutions for collecting, classifying, and recycling plastic packaging waste suitable for the Vietnamese market.

Source: MONRE